Partnership Manager (J1026-0490) - Queens University

Queen’s University has a partnership with the University of Gondar to advance inclusive higher education in Africa. Now, having concluded the first ten years of the partnership, both institutions are working with the Mastercard Foundation to extend their work, through the creation of a Network of Excellence in Disability Inclusion. This position provides project and partnership expertise to support the Director and the other project team in the Network expansion activities.

Reporting to the Director of this partnership at Queen’s, the incumbent will provide a high-level of expertise and strategic direction to the operations of the project. The Project Manager, based at Queen’s University, will work in collaboration with colleagues both based at Queen’s and at 6-7 other universities on the continent of Africa. Duties include planning, coordinating, prioritizing and implementing project activities; monitoring of financial expenses and allocations; assisting the Director in preparation of plans, reports and performance measurement frameworks; analyzing and adopting policies and procedures; and managing human resources. Space management and safety programs are administered by this position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contributes to the strategic direction, budget, operational planning and leadership of project staff.
• In collaboration with the management team, determines operational objectives by providing leadership and direction for successful execution of all aspects of the project. Responsible for overseeing the project schedule, timelines and milestones, carefully monitoring all aspects of the operation, and coordinating the work of project staff, committees, and others.
• Establishes policies and procedures; disseminates information; coordinates project activities. Compiles and analyses evaluative data to monitor program effectiveness. Assists the Director in preparation of reports.
• Supports the Network Coordinator to organize meetings; establish project committees and working groups; and coordinate travel and visits of Queen’s University, University of Gondar and other partner university personnel, following travel policies established at Queen’s University.
• In collaboration with the Director, plans, implements and oversees all project activities, ensuring these align with the Project Work Plan and in collaboration with other partner university managers.
• Responsible for the management of day-to-day operations of the project including assisting the Director with Canadian-based human resources aspects of the Project, such as providing leadership and expertise to Canadian-based staff as well as coordinating teams’ projects.
• Provides work direction, and technical/functional guidance to staff. Schedules and assigns work, and oversees its completion. Coordinates and monitors work flow.
• Schedules and approves, or recommends the approval of, employees’ hours of work, overtime and absences. Monitors and oversees employee attendance.
• Provides orientation and on-the-job training to employees in the unit. Provides coaching and feedback on work quality issues, providing related day-to-day supervision. Escalates unresolved performance and/or disciplinary matters to the Director.
• Analyzes political, social, safety, economic and regulatory developments in implementing countries that could affect project implementation. Monitors and manages operational and security risks to project personnel in the field and ensures policies and procedures are followed.
• Implements effective communication strategies between Canadian, Ethiopian, and other African personnel, by compiling, processing and synthetizing data, ensuring information is accessible to all parties.
• Represents ICACBR, Queen’s University and the Network positively within the university community and outside agencies in Ethiopia, Canada and internationally.
• Plans, prioritizes and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assesses staff training and development needs, and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigates, addresses and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Makes decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in relevant discipline (e.g., international development, education, rehabilitation therapy, organizational management).
• A minimum of five years of finance, operations, and human resource management experience in either clinical, community, academic or international development contexts.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and project management experience.
• Ability to travel to various countries in Africa for short and/or medium-term (approx. 2-4weeks) working visits, approximately three times per year.
• Graduate degree in Occupational Therapy, eligible for professional registration in Ontario, with previous practice as an occupational therapist considered an asset.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Respects diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Superior interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills are critical as the individual will interact with various individuals in the broader university community and internationally.
• Demonstrated experience in management setting with skills in organizing, motivating, directing and facilitating individuals and teams to achieve objectives.
• Ability to plan and implement initiatives to ensure sustainability of the Project.
• Ability to cope with multiple demands and resolve priority conflicts while working under time constraints and deadlines.
• Ability to develop and manage within a budget.
• Extensive knowledge of university structure, policies and programs.
• The individual must be objective, fair, impartial and flexible without compromising standards and established policies.
• Independent decision-making related to office and project activities, responsibility, and personal initiative are required.

DECISION MAKING:

• Determine what issues to bring to the Director for decision-making or as an FYI.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate project objectives and determine action plans to meet goals and priorities and make recommendations regarding the overall functioning of the Project in conjunction with the Director.
• Make recommendations to modify the master project schedule to enhance effectiveness towards the business result or strategic intent.
• Make financial decisions such as approval of project/office expenditures, ensuring compliance with Queen’s policies.
• Monitor financial accounts and budget, and determine when to raise issues to the Director’s attention.
• Determine content for reports for internal and external documents, proposals, grants, promotional material, publicity, communication, curriculum design.
• Determine relevant content of policies and procedures, and decide how modifications should be proposed and implemented based on project evaluation and reflection.
• Determine appropriate actions in emergencies in accordance with unit and university procedures as health and safety representative.
• Make human resource decision including design and delegation of support staff duties.
• Determines priorities and makes decisions about staff utilization and the assignment of work to achieve optimum efficiencies and productivity.
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

How to Apply:

Please visit the careers webpage to submit your application.

Please apply online at:
https://clients.njoyn.com/CL4/xweb/xweb.asp?clid=74827&page=jobdetails&jobid=J1026-0490&BRID=EX462340&SBDID=21474&LANG=1.